Darian Rodriguez

I am who I am; a young girl with big questions and many thoughts. In short, at this point in my life I am interested in quality R&R before heading out to college in a year or two. Music, art, and literature fill my walls and shelves as classical music wafts through the air. One might call me a bit of a homebody right now as I am really trying to soak up life at home with my family of seven before the big move out. I have a small home filled with three brothers, one sister, our dog piper, and my wonderful parents who have known each other since the age of 16 and have managed to stay helplessly in love and passionately faithful. Together, the seven of us are constantly making music and noise or dancing and laughing and the house only seems quiet at night when everyone falls asleep after a long day. My mother, being a financial planner, has influenced me to stay organized,precise, and prompt but to never loose my creativity and imagination. My father is a man who is an artist and craftsman. Both have culminated their life experiences and advice to create most of the person I am today. I am the second oldest of us five kids and so I often find myself repeating the same advice of my parents to my younger siblings which in turn makes us all very close. All in all, my family makes up most of my curriculum vitae as they are a huge factor in my life.

I am passionate about singing and the maths and sciences. A blend I find to be intellectually stimulating and self expressive.

I will share now a brief paraphrasing of a story about a wave and"Aloha".A wave is bouncing through the ocean blissfully until it sees the other waves crashing against the shore. It turns to the wave next to him"OH NO! WERE GOING TO DIE!" it screams.Upon hearing the fear in his friends tone the second wave turns and says " Don't you get it, you're not a wave. You're part of the ocean." This story resonates the value of connection. Rather than speaking the words "Hello" or "Good-bye" Hawaiians say "Aloha". A term that has become quite popular and recognizable.Aloha-Breath.It is a word of connection, an exhale, and exchange of life. I think an important idea worth sharing would be to value ones connections. Connection to self and to others. I challenge you to discover how to connect with yourself more. Good Luck, *Spoiler* it isn't easy! By defining you're strengths and weaknesses you become a person aware of what they have to offer and what they can gain from others.

TED has been a wonderful platform for connection and it is in my best interest to pursue being a part of it all. I have been passionately moved by many speakers; some of which I now follow outside of the TED community, making connections with others admirers of their work. The words of many have impacted me in a way I can only describe as profound. As I learn to form my own capital V Voice I too hope that I can influence others just as I have been.

I have a keen eye for fashion and I don't think most people know how much of my life is spent critiquing styles.